Imagine goods from Bangladesh no longer needing to take long detours but instead reaching the Middle East and India’s western coast directly and swiftly. This could inject fresh vitality into regional economies. French shipping giant CMA CGM has turned this vision into reality with its newly launched Bangladesh India Gulf Express (BIGEX) route, creating a high-speed trade corridor between Bangladesh, India, and the Gulf region.
The standout feature of the BIGEX route is its direct connectivity .
For the first time, it will link Bangladesh’s Chittagong port directly with Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi in the Gulf, as well as India’s Nhava Sheva and Mundra ports, eliminating intermediate transshipment stops and significantly reducing transit times. The route is set to commence operations from Chittagong on April 5, initially deploying three vessels with a capacity of 1,700 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) each.
The BIGEX route will operate in a loop pattern. The westbound leg will call at Chittagong (Bangladesh), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Mangalore (India), Nhava Sheva (India), and Mundra (India). The eastbound leg will include stops at Jebel Ali (UAE) and Khalifa Port (UAE).
CMA CGM emphasized that the BIGEX route will reshape trade dynamics between Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and the Gulf, extending Bangladesh’s maritime access directly to the Gulf and India’s western coast. The implications are substantial:
1. Reduced Transit Times: Export cargo from Chittagong will reach Jebel Ali in just 14 days and Abu Dhabi in 15 days—far more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional trucking. Shipments to Nhava Sheva and Mundra will take only 8 and 10 days, respectively.
2. Expanded Market Access: By connecting Chittagong with key transshipment hubs in the Gulf and India’s western coast, the route opens broader market opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses.
In summary, CMA CGM’s BIGEX is a strategic initiative poised to accelerate trade flows between Bangladesh, the Gulf, and India, delivering new momentum to regional economic growth.